UNPOPULAR plans to downgrade services at aNorth Wales hospital could be challenged in the courts.

Campaigners have already launched a fighting fund to safeguard the future of Llandudno General Hospital.

Now it seems proposals to transfer the coronarycare unit and breast cancer unit to Bangor's Ysbyty Gwynedd could be the subject of a judicial re-view.

The Llandudno plans form part of the Secondary Care Re-view - the biggest shake-up of health care in North Wales in 30 years.

An extended consultation period has ended and project director Andrew Butters' team is studying the evidence.

North West Wales NHS Trust, and Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust are due to review the changes to Llandudno and other hospitals in the week beginning Monday, September 18.

MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy Elfyn Llwyd, whose Conwy Valley constituents use Llandudno Hospital, said: "We have been through the same pattern with Blaenau Ffestiniog Hospital.

"Changes there were unlawful and they had to reconsider.

Putting forward proper, reasoned arguments doesn't work.

"The only recourse is the law in ajudicial review. Isay that with some trepidation because it could cost money."

Conwy County councillor Gareth Jones believes the downgrading could be unlawful.

He said: "I believe it is illegal, morally wrong and should end up in a judicial review so it can be reconsidered."

He added: "I have consulted Elfyn Llwyd MP, who is a barrister. It seems that what is proposed for Llandudno Hospital is an unreasonable act, especially when you consider some elderly people have no car to get to Bangor or Bodelwyddan."

Mr Jones called on campaigners to help pay for any review by donating to a newly-formed fighting fund run by Llandudno Hospital Action Group.

Llandudno Town councillor Doreen Websell said £1,000 was raised in just three weeks.

She said: "Weare raising the money to pay for a barrister for

any judicial review. "If no review is needed, we will give the money to the Llandudno Hospital League of Friends."

Conwy Local Health Board chief executive WynThomas would not comment on the possibility of a judicial review.

But he said: "All local health boards in North Wales believe that they have complied with the requirement to consult community health councils and the public."

He said North Wales's three trusts are expected to make a decision on the shake-up in the week starting Monday, September 18.

But he said if the community health councils don't agree with the proposals, the decision will go to Assembly health minister Dr Brian Gibbons.